Welcome to Southwest Montana | Trip Itineraries in Southwest Montana

Itinerary Overview

This tour has a little something for everyone, spectacular scenery, blue waters, ghost towns, golf courses, wildlife, antiques and of course, lots of the Old West. This tour begins in Anaconda, where the “Old Works” was once a huge copper smelting operation. The remaining 58-story “Stack” is visible for miles around, and commemorated as the Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. Before leaving Anaconda, tour the historic district downtown with their walking tour. Next, take Highway 1 west to Georgetown Lake. As you continue, you’ll come to Philipsburg, a friendly town with a National Historic District that has been beautifully restored. As you continue your journey towards Drummond, watch for hawks that frequent the area. For a side trip, head west to the Bearmouth Recreation Area that serves as an entrance to Garnet Ghost Town. To continue on the tour, head east on I-90 to Deer Lodge. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch Historical Site at the north end of town is a working cattle ranch demonstrating cowboy life in the 1800s. Leave plenty of time for your visit to Deer Lodge, where there are a number of interesting museum collections including the Old Montana Prison and Law Enforcement Museum, the Montana Auto Museum, the Frontier Montana Museum, Powell County Museum and Yesterday's Playthings. After leaving Deer Lodge, you may want to pause on your way back to Anaconda at Warm Springs Ponds where there is a picnic area off exit 171.

Day 1

Anaconda to Philipsburg

This tour begins in Anaconda, Montana. Along with charming shops, delicious restaurants, and a brewery, we recommend exploring the Washoe Theatre, the Kennedy Commons, take a historic walking tour, or the old works walking trail. Stay at the Montana Sky Lodge, Marcus Daly Motel, or Fairmont Hot Springs. If you are looking for winter activities, Georgetown Lake is the perfect place for ice fishing, or the nearby Discovery Ski Area offers downhill skiing and summer biking opportunities. Anaconda is also home to two state parks, Lost Creek State Park and Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. After you have a chance to explore Anaconda, you’ll head down the Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Byway and make your way to Philipsburg where we recommend spending the night - try the Broadway Hotel, the Inn at Philipsburg, and the Ranch at Rock Creek.

Old Works Golf Course

Old Works is one of only a few Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses open to the general public and one of Montana’s premier courses. Situated on land left vacant by the Anaconda smelter, it’s a triumph of land reclamation. Old Works also features a restaurant, a pro shop, and a world-class practice facility.

Montana Zipline Adventures

Get a breathtaking panoramic perspective of the Pintler Wilderness while soaring along 9,300 feet of the longest biplane in Montana at Montana Zipline Adventures. Located along the Pintler Scenic Highway outside of Anaconda, this exhilarating adventure with seven zippiness will have your adrenaline going as you take in the majestic views.

Georgetown Lake

Nestled between the scenic Pintler Mountains, the Sapphire Range, and the Flint Creek Range, Georgetown Lake is a gorgeous location for camping, boating, fishing, and more. The lake is the perfect weekend getaway, and well worth a detour on any Montana road trip. Enjoy the scenery, recreation, and big Montana skies.

Day 2

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is one of those charming communities that we can never get enough of. The Main Street is adorned by charming shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a brewery and more. The area is best known for the beautiful sapphires that can be found there. While in town you can visit Gem Mountain, the Sapphire Gallery, and Montana Gems. If you are up for a short drive, Gem Mountain Mine offers rockhounding at their mine location throughout the summer. In town you will find one of the most popular attractions, a local candy shop, the Sweet Palace. During the summer months, check out the Philipsburg Opera House or take a carriage ride. During the winter months the town maintains a beautiful ice rink in Winninghoff Park.

Philipsburg

Surrounded by the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest, and settled along the Pintler Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Byway, Philipsburg embodies everything a charming small town should be. A colorful main street is lined with unique shops, restaurants, a candy shop, and of course a brewery.

Gem Mining

Panning for treasure can be a risky business. There is something incredibly delightful about the process of searching for treasure. If you’d like to experience the joy of find gemstones, Philipsburg has not one but three gem hunting opportunities. You can pan for sapphires in the Sapphire Gallery, Montana Gems, and Gem Mountain.

Sweet Palace

Give in to your sweet tooth at the Sweet Palace, the grandest candy emporium in the American West, featuring chocolates, fresh fudge, homemade buttery caramels, and 72 flavors of salt water taffy. There are over 1100 selections of candies from all over the world and those made right in the store. We look forward to serving you!

Day 3

Philipsburg to Anaconda

After spending the morning in Philipsburg, take off toward Drummond. As you continue down Highway 1 you will wind through some of Montana’s beautiful farm land. If you reach Drummond around lunch, Parkers’ Restaurant is worth a visit! Otherwise you can fuel up and head on toward Deer Lodge. In Deer Lodge you’ll find a number of restaurants, the Cutler Bros Theater, and one of the state’s largest museum complexes. In addition to being a museum, the old prison will host a variety of paranormal events and even the occasional convict lockdown. Wrap up your museum tour with a little ice cream from the Prison Cow! Before returning to Anaconda, you won’t want to miss the Grant-Kohrs National Historic Ranch which commemorates Montana’s homesteaders. Throughout the summer you’ll find a variety of events at the Tri-County Fairgrounds.

Parker’s Restaurant

At Parker’s Restaurant, patrons will be met with genuine Montana hospitality. You will be handed a three-ring binder filled with over 135 different burgers as you take a seat among the classic burger joint decor. Dine with the locals and enjoy some of Montana’s best beef. Open Tuesday through Saturday.

Grant-Kohrs National Historic Ranch

Wide open spaces, the hard working cowboy, his spirited cow pony, and vast herds of cattle are among the strongest symbols of the American West. Once the headquarters of a 10 million-acre cattle empire, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site preserves these symbols and commemorates the role of cattlemen in American history.

Old Montana Prison Complex

The Old Montana Prison Complex houses five unique museums: The Old Montana Prison, Powell County Museum, Frontier Montana Museum, Yesterday’s Playthings, and the Montana Auto Museum. The museum offers both guided and self-guided tours through the facility. The complex boasts a significant collection, allowing everyone to find something of interest.

Road Trips Do End Eventually. Where are You Staying?

Southwest Montana is full of places to rest when your eyes are tired and your back is sore. Everything from 5-star hotels and resorts, to affordable hostels and rustic cabins.

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